In this month’s blog, the team at Ringmer Dental will focus on several of the ways sugar can effect for your oral health, and what you can do about it.
Your mouth as a battleground
All the food and drinks you consume enter through your mouth, so your mouth acts as a battleground between beneficial and harmful bacteria. Many studies have shown that some of these harmful bacteria produce acid in your mouth whenever they encounter and digest sugar. That means every time you consume sugar, these bacteria are producing more and more acid that eats away at your teeth.
Your saliva combats this damage, but consuming large amounts of sugar means there’s more acid than your saliva can handle alone. The repeated cycle of acid attacks on your teeth causes mineral loss in the shiny, protective layer around your teeth called the enamel. Over time, this acid weakens and destroys the enamel, forming a cavity.
Sugar changes the acidity in your mouth
The bacteria feed on sugar and form plaque, which is the sticky substance your dentist cleans from your teeth during a routine visit. If this plaque is allowed to sit on your teeth and is not washed away by brushing or saliva, it will eventually become acidic and eat away at the enamel on your teeth.
Sugar attracts bad bacteria
Along with creating enamel eating acids, sugar attracts the tiny bacteria that cause gingivitis and gum disease. These diseases can cause your gums to recede away from your teeth and destroy the protective tissues that hold your teeth into place.
Effects of solid sugars on teeth
Sugar is in more foods than you realise. There are natural sources of sugar, like fruits, vegetables, and honey, but you can also consume sugar by eating common snacks like crisps and biscuits. Foods containing high amounts of white processed sugar are particularly damaging because these foods leave a sticky residue on your teeth that is too strong for your saliva to wash away. The only way to remove this residue is by brushing, interdental cleaning and dental cleanings.
While you should practice moderation in all sugar consumption, frequent snacking on foods high in sugar increases the amount of time your teeth are exposed to the dissolving effects of these acids. This causes tooth decay.
Effects of sugary drinks on teeth
Drinking sugary drinks can have an even more devastating effect on your teeth than eating sugary foods. Along with sugar intake, many beverages have their own acidity that’s bad for your teeth along with the acids created by sugar.
Top tips to combat the damage caused by sugar
- Try to eat more foods high in fibre and protein like nuts, cheese, and leafy greens to promote strong teeth.
- Also, vegetables like carrots and celery are even better for your teeth in that they naturally remove plaque and bacteria from the surface of your teeth.
- Drinking plenty of water during and after eating promotes saliva production and cleans your mouth from bacteria and food particles.
- Consuming a sugar substitute called xylitol can help prevent cavity-causing bacteria.
Are you ready for clean, healthy teeth? Practical, everyday dental care can be simple, and we want to be your guide as you create long-lasting, impactful practices for your diet, dental, and overall health needs. At Ringmer Dental, we provide family dentistry services to help keep you and your loved ones’ smiles healthy and strong. We believe in caring, attentive, and respectful dental care, and we provide everything from routine checkups to extensive dental repairs with the latest state-of-the-art technology.
Call Ringmer Dental on 01273 813898 and book an appointment with one of our dentists today.